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On July 11, 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was published. In the sixty-five years since that date the Pulitzer Prize winning book has been translated into 40 languages and sold an estimated 40 million copies. The 1962 film supplied Gregory Peck with a signature role and an Oscar. While authors notoriously dislike screenplays of their work, Miss Lee so liked Peck’s interpretation of her father that she presented him with Mr. Lee’s pocket watch.
Two important characters have a strong connection to gardens and flowers. Bellingrath Gardens is mentioned in both the book and the film but in different places. And since the plot takes place in Alabama in the mid-1930’s it’s not surprising that the Monroeville-born author would have included it in her book.
In the novel, in Chapter 8, neighbor Maudie Atkinson’s house burns down on a cold night and the firemen trample her flower beds. Throughout the beginning of the story Miss Maudie is often observing the antics of Scout, Jem and Dill as she works in her garden and is portrayed as their friend and confidante.
As the children tell her how sorry they are, Maudie Atkinson, ever the optimist, has this to say:
“Always wanted a smaller house Jem Finch. Gives me more yard –gracious I’ll have the finest yard in Alabama! Those Bellingraths’ll look plain puny when I get started!”
The 1962 screenplay does not have this scene. Instead the mention comes early in the film when Jem, Scout and Dill are happily racing to meet Atticus as he returns from work. The crotchety porch-bound Mrs. DuBose does not appear in the book until Chapter 11 and Bellingrath Gardens is not mentioned there. However her camellia garden, which is decimated by an angry Jem is.
In the movie version Mrs. DuBose’s garden is used for a different purpose. Jem has walked ahead but races back to his sister and Dill with the somber warning that Mrs. DuBose is out on her porch. He whispers to a curious Dill: “She has a Confederate pistol under her shawl. She’ll kill you quick as look at you!”
After Scout gets the woman agitated by saying “Hey” to her as she passes instead of “Good afternoon” the three children run on to meet Atticus. As they walk back Mrs. DuBose is still hollering and Atticus plays the perfect gentleman. He removes his hat and offers her this greeting:
Goodness, gracious look at your flowers! Mrs. DuBose, the Gardens at Bellingrath have nothing to compare with your flowers. Your yard is going to be the showplace of this town! Grand seeing you Mrs. DuBose.”
The old lady’s fit instantly disappears as she glances proudly around her garden.
Anyone who enjoys Bellingrath Gardens should take a look at either this entertaining novel or movie. Watch for the garden imagery and Bellingrath Gardens in one of the most famous books of the 20th century which has now reached an important birthday.
